Meakin said:
The M2 shows 35mm framelines - but leaves out the 135mm so it has 35,50 and 90mm framelines in the viewfinder - It also has a few other little differences (such as a manual film counter + a few others I can't remember)
A lot of people seem to like it for it's more "simplistic" approach
Maybe somebody that actually owns one will chime in.
Congrats Frank! - looks great!
/Meakin
Meakin is right - the available framelines in M2 are 35, 50 and 90. Frank has an older type M2, with button rewind (that round button marked "R" on the left, viewed from the front). I think you have to keep that button pressed while you're rewinding film.
Also, Frank's M2 does not have the self-timer. I've got a later M2, which has both the rewind lever (you push it towards the lens, and it stays that way - which is obviously more practical, but not a big deal) and the self-timer.
As for the differences between the M2 and M3, the major one, IMHO, is the viewfinder magnification. The M3 has frames for 50, 90 and 135 mm and a larger magnification, which makes it ideal for lenses from 50mm up (i.e. up to 135mm) If you want to use 35mm lenses on M3, you have to either get a goggled lenses specifically made for M3 (clumsy, IMO), or use external finder - which (again IMHO) beats the purpose of Leica as a small and compact camera.
My M2 sports the CV Ultron 35/1.7 (thanks, Ralph!), and my Summicron 50/2 is on the M3. When I use longer lenses (Elmar C 90/4 or Hektor 135/4.5), I put them on the M3.
In short, if your lens combo is 35 and 50 mm (perhaps 90), then M2 is for you.
If you don't go wider than 50 (or 40mm), M3 might fit the bill.
What the heck, get them both, if you can!!! That's what I did
😀
I know Brian will say it's a blasphemy, but I somehow prefer my M2.
😉
I should also say that, for those on a very tight budget, I'd heartily recommend a Kiev 4A (meterless!). Fitted with a Jupiter 8M, it's a machine very comparable to Leica - perhaps not quality-wise (Russian QC is sometimes referred to as "Russian roulette"), but in handling, it's an absolute gem. My only problem with the Kiev is small viewfinder - a potential problem for those of us wearing glasses. If you can live with that, and don't have the funds for a Leica, go with the Kiev, by all means! You won't regret it!
Well, even if you
DO have a Leica, you might give the Kiev a spin! I'm sure you'll like it - particularly given the price
😀
Denis
